No slapdash kiddie production, Batman XXX begins with powerfully sexual scenes that quickly hook you, enticing with prospect of its headlining actresses exceeding expectations to come. With their big ’60s bouffants and bold cosmetics, the bold girls, Lisa and Molly, set the sexual bar high for their costumed, marque costars to surmount later. Those more famous, headlining gals sport a simpler, more natural look this reviewer usually prefers. But not this time!

She delivers the hands-down best performance…I said, “hands down,” Missy!Image by THE INCREDIBLE CHULK, via Flickr

Details matter, and these tantalizing trollops, Lisa and Molly, begin their action with skillful displays of seduction by gradually revealing themselves, showing a patient dedication to the art of arousal.

Duplicating the details of the TV show so successfully, the writing and situations appear interchangeable with one of the old episodes. As an example of the immersion into the comic book world this feature provides, the production’s details hit the nerdy g-spot of nostalgia so well that it’s a funny jolt of reality when Batman’s utility belt removal is heralded by the audible tearing of its cheap velcro.

Because Batman XXX so faithful replicates the original television show, the self deprecating description, ‘parody,’ in its subtitle is unwarranted. Granted, the campy adventure program of the ’60s appealed to an audience of children who neither cared nor demanded much for realism in aesthetics, actors, or actions. However, for such a movie to have an effective parody with humorous contrast, atypical realism would have to be introduced to Gotham’s cartoon criminals, straying from the entire premise.

Although they have campiest of roles to emulate, none of the actors ruins his character with overacting in reciting dialogue. All are adequately versed in their own persona’s idiosyncrasies. Closely following the original template signals a studious patience by the creators and cast. They largely avoided the great temptation of hubris by trying to outperform the original icon of guilty-pleasure schlock, deeply embedded in late twentieth century cultural nostalgia.

Sounding a little flat in the middle, the Joker’s delivery is the rare acting exception among a cast resonating well with their dialogue. It’s no surprise that his lines, without the trademark embellishments punctuating their ending, are subdued in respect to the other villains in his corner. Because the manic Riddler stakes out the wildest of acting territory, the Joker’s role must tread a narrow, difficult acting line to differentiate himself from the question-marked clown’s style.

Although repeatedly in conventional positions, the camera angle in nearly every shot keeps the frame full of the actresses, realizing many of their clothed promises of naked feminine beauty beneath. Constant, continuous slight movements of the camera effect a floating sensation, gently introducing unusual sight lines to the action without breaking the audience’s attention with an edited cut or committing to a peculiar angle with limited appeal.

This safe choice in camera angles is often used with reliable benefits. Wonderfully free of penis tunnel vision/target fixation, Batman XXX wastes no time on protracted extreme close-ups. Most scenes rely on that single dominant, floating camera near a three quarter view, forgoing significant support from other angles, which poses little of a problem given the camera’s competent use.

The well chosen and utilized studio lighting and audio editing succeeds in mimicking the boldness of the television show. Perfectly harmonizing with the visuals, the instrumental music score and sound effects rise and fall to explain, enhance, and emphasize the action, without becoming obtrusive.

At two hours long, the feature can induce fatigue in watching. Any feature film based on so simple a premise should be no more than 90 minutes, a mark easily attainable by trimming the more repetitive, mediocre moments in three of its sex scenes that run over 20 minutes apiece.

Now don’t forget that you’re a good girl!Image by jimgoodman69, via Flickr

If minutes were freed with those scenes trimmed down, Batgirl’s good girl persona, as the Commissioner’s librarian daughter, could be explored. Her potential for tentative experimentation with sex could maximize her allure in a B-story. Her enthusiastic energy and cheerful persona could well support this plausible subplot.

In opposition to the bolder and badder girls, Batgirl effortlessly exudes the warm glow of the good girl role, bursting with curiosity. Slipping out of character in unscripted moment during a sex scene, she lets a spontaneous giggle escape, an endearingly genuine reaction to a awkward body position.

A thoroughly entertaining film for anyone who fondly remembers the show, Batman XXX also brings a satisfying, well executed competence in designing and displaying its intense sex situations. This superior quality of production and performance should provide enjoyable entertainment even for those who are not familiar with the television show.